Letters To The Editor

December 19, 1990

WHERE'S THE NEWS?

Please accept my congratulations on your probably being the first paper in the nation to publish a quote stating that the invasion of Kuwait and the rape, torture, murder and plunder that followed was perhaps a lack of diplomacy on Iraq's part. This gem and the contention that we should not try to drive the Iraqis out or bomb Iraq, was provided to us by an undoubtedly open-minded, unbiased young man (an Iraqi with parents living in Baghdad) who helped organize the massive uprising at The College of William and Mary against war. Who cares what this guy thinks?

This quote was found on the Nov. 30 front page about the tremendous show of objection ("more than 160 students" out of a total student body of 5,300, or 3 percent) against our involvement in a Mideast war. Who cares what these few think?

Where is our news? We paid for a newspaper and we deserve news. Find out what the other 5,140 students think and that might be very slightly newsworthy.

My letter is not about the problems or solutions to the problems in the Mideast. I have my opinions. Anyone can have an opinion but that is not news. Let them write an editorial as I have. My letter is about our local daily newspaper trying to share our minds to the political beliefs of their owners/editors by selectively printing "un-news" and hoping we will be duped into thinking it is actually important to our society.

Jim Propst

Carrollton

A CHRISTMAS GREETING

During this holy season of celebration and thanksgiving, I offer my most sincere appreciation for the gestures of goodwill that you have extended to our soldiers participating in Operation Desert Shield and to their families. I wish it were possible to recognize and thank each of you personally, but there have been hundreds of organizations and individuals who have contributed goods and services to the soldiers and family members of Fort Eustis and Fort Story.

Items such as complimentary Christmas meals, holiday baskets, hotel accommodations, video and photographic support, reading material and recreational equipment have been great morale boosters. But even more than the gifts themselves, we are deeply grateful for your support and concern, which they represent.

Please accept my personal thanks and best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a peaceful, prosperous new year.

Samuel N. Wakefield

Major General, U.S. Army

Commanding

Fort Eustis

THE SEASON'S REASON

Here we are again at the end of another calendar year. Christmas is just a short time away and everyone is busy doing their holiday shopping. Advertisements are on the television and radio for various gifts you can buy your loved ones. But why is Christmas celebrated?

One commercial on the radio states, "If you think it's the thought that counts, think again." Another on television shows a teen-age male telling his mother "for once ma, get me something I can use." With this kind of thinking it's no wonder that religious Christmas celebration has been removed from the schools. As adults we are sending a message to our children that being self-centered and greedy is the goal of Christmas. Please everyone, take a minute to remember we are honoring the anniversary of the birth of Christ. That is the whole reason for Christmas.

Without the birth of Christ there would be no Christmas. We still believe that it is the thought that counts, the thought of Jesus Christ on his birthday.

Robert and Anita Davis

Newport News

INVESTIGATE CARE

At a time when we are pouring thousands of troops into Saudi Arabia, risking anything from death to devastating wounds and injuries, we are sending these men the signal that our Veterans Affairs hospital system is not capable of taking care of them when and if the need arises.

The VA hospitals are staffed with unqualified medical doctors. I've been told by some doctors at the Hampton VA hospital that the reason they are there is because they cannot be sued and some have said they have declared bankruptcy and this is a steppingstone to start over. I've asked some about their qualifications and was threatened and harassed.

The only way to challenge these doctors is by an elected official. I urge all people to write their elected officials and have them investigate the credentials of the doctors at the Hampton or any other VA hospital. Most of the veterans in the hospital cannot request this because of retaliation and loss of benefits.

Where is the media when they are needed? A month ago on television, they showed film of a paralyzed veteran who was being mistreated. Where is the follow-up? Roseanne Barr can scratch herself and sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the media go nuts. Why not for the veterans? Help these veterans get what they need the most, proper medical care, a little dignity and a little peace of mind, before they are put into this earth that they fought for.